Originally Posted by Beamer
Is that the Wes Walker jr, the Pats drafted?

Wow, you really do know your NFL. Yeah, he looks like he's going to be our new backup slot receiver. The kicker is that he played QB in college. The last time he was a receiver in anything was in Pop Warner! Yet, he's right up there with the big boys. Even if he doesn't make the team, the story is one for the ages...

I don't think I know that much about every other team, except the Steelers, who I know inside and out, and our threats. Pats, Ravens, Colts are three teams other than Steelers that I keep up with for obvious reasons. Pats pose an unique challenge, with their multiple set WR's, specially the slot receivers, who are so good at running the underneath quick stuff. With Brady, it makes it even more difficult. Their scheme nullifies the Steelers fierce 3-4 aggressive pass rush somewhat. They force us to play more nickel and dime packages to counter the quick strike spread offense. The ball is released before the pass rushers get a chance to get to the QB. Blitzing is one way to get there, but, when you have Kevin Faulk ( the best, most underrated all purpose back in the league )picking up the blitzers, or being handed off to in delay plays, it makes that even more difficult. Plus, you got to deal with the vertical ability of Randy Moss. Your offense should mask any defensive deficiences. Actually, many more teams I suspect will deploy the multiple set, three drop, sometimes no huddle offense, to counter the combo of Harrison-Woodley against us. Its going to happen. We know it. We have stocked up some fine DB's in this years draft. We will be forced to play a lot of nickel-dime pkg. But, LeBeau will come up with soemthing. Anyway..getting ready for the season.

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
I am not here to defend Al but the Raiders main problem is themselves. I mean players. discipline nai bollei choley. Er shathey crabtree add hoiley it would be party all the time in the locker room with negative output on the field.
.

Raiders source of problem is in the top, the senile Al Davis. This is the 2nd year coaches fight with each other. If that is the case, how you can bring discipline in the team? Enough is enough TE, its time to jump off the sinking ship... start supporting a better managed team like Steelers, NY Giants, Pats or Raven. There is more satisfaction supporting a well planned well run team than a chaotic team like Raiders or Deadskin.

As for Giants, I am predicting again a 11+ plus win season and will go to NFC championship. Last few years Giants picked excellent quality players in draft. This team is full of young talent who will continue to grow for next few years. There is 3/4 players in this draft, who will end up playing meaningful games at the end of the season. Only negative Giants have is unproven young receivers. But the defence will surprise lots of people who are not following the Gaints.

As for Raven, I like their young QB and I like their young head coach. And as usual they have solid defense. They will have some tough competition, but I think they will give a good fight in AFC.

Giants have the best collection of DL in NFL. They will rack up tons of sacks this year. That defense is great, the running game superb, and based on that combination, Eli won't have to throw that much, but the play action should be there for the taking. I think Giants take NFC East.

I'm pulling for the Eagles to take the NFC East. I think they're one of the teams on a major upswing. Giants get in as a Wild Card. On the flip side, I think the Colts are about to have a terrible year. I wouldn't be surprised if Peyton somehow finds a way to pull them out of the ginormous hole they're in, but right now things arent looking too good.

Originally Posted by Farhad
I'm pulling for the Eagles to take the NFC East. I think they're one of the teams on a major upswing. Giants get in as a Wild Card. On the flip side, I think the Colts are about to have a terrible year. I wouldn't be surprised if Peyton somehow finds a way to pull them out of the ginormous hole they're in, but right now things arent looking too good.

Eagles signed M Vick. Road games will be hectic. Can't imagine how the playoffs will be if he plays any snap.
+++

Dear Fazal,
Are you kidding me? Go back to support Pat? Nah!! Until they patch up with Drew and who wants to support cheaters (Bechicheck)?

Ravens??? You must have some issues.

__________________
The Weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the Strong." - Gandhi.

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Professionalism in an umprofessional way!! That management sucks. The guy (Bledsoe) practically let New England not go under or get bought out when they were bad.

I'd stick with my Buira Al. At least he never was a two face. Thanks!!

Although Drew was unquestionably a great quarterback who will be enshrined in the Patriots Hall of Fame the first year he is eligible (2011 as far as i know), I'm not sure he deserves the credit for keeping the Pats in NE. That honor goes to Robert Kraft...

Loyalty to a fault can be detrimental in pro football. Teams can cut you anytime they want. While its true, you shouldn't lose your spot due to injury, but when the replacement wins you superbowl/s, you have no option but to do the right thing. You are obligated to your team and fans to do the right thing, even if it seems ruthless. When we drafted Ben, Tommy Maddox was supposed to play the entire year while Ben carries the board. Tommy went down in the second game of the season, rookie Ben was thrown into the mix right away, and never lost in regular season that year, with healthy Tommy watching from sideline. Its cruel, but, many many teams have done so, and for the right reasons. Your Al, however, can't comprehend reason.

Originally Posted by Beamer
Loyalty to a fault can be detrimental in pro football. Teams can cut you anytime they want. While its true, you shouldn't lose your spot due to injury, but when the replacement wins you superbowl/s, you have no option but to do the right thing. You are obligated to your team and fans to do the right thing, even if it seems ruthless. When we drafted Ben, Tommy Maddox was supposed to play the entire year while Ben carries the board. Tommy went down in the second game of the season, rookie Ben was thrown into the mix right away, and never lost in regular season that year, with healthy Tommy watching from sideline. Its cruel, but, many many teams have done so, and for the right reasons. Your Al, however, can't comprehend reason.

I know, but NE could have taken different route on getting rid of him the way they did. That is injustice. Just like Lions got rid off Barry.

All well and good. But I followed Drew from college.

__________________
The Weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the Strong." - Gandhi.

Another regular season is upon us! Just in time, too. I was getting sick and tired of preseason football. Football with hits held back isn't football. Pats and Steelers both considered favorites this year. I'm not sure i like it. Much rather be a dark horse...

I would have taken a loss last night in exchange for a healthy Troy for the rest of the year. The all world safety will be out 3-6 weeks with a MCL strain. He was having an outstanding game. Our secondary was clueless for a bit after he went out, and Collins exploited it to the full tilt immediately. Eventually we settled down and played stout rest of the way. We have to do the same until he comes back, though many defensive options are out the window without him. He is that important.

Titans are solid. Our run game, zero. I am hoping this is the first game of the season and things will look up, but to tell you frankly, not very hopeful. Big Ben does what he does. When game is on the line, or we are behind in 4th qtr, he delivers-always ( 19 4th qtr come back win in his career ! ). We don't play for ten days. The extra time is good for Troy.

Originally Posted by Beamer
I would have taken a loss last night in exchange for a healthy Troy for the rest of the year. The all world safety will be out 3-6 weeks with a MCL strain. He was having an outstanding game. Our secondary was clueless for a bit after he went out, and Collins exploited it to the full tilt immediately. Eventually we settled down and played stout rest of the way. We have to do the same until he comes back, though many defensive options are out the window without him. He is that important.

Titans are solid. Our run game, zero. I am hoping this is the first game of the season and things will look up, but to tell you frankly, not very hopeful. Big Ben does what he does. When game is on the line, or we are behind in 4th qtr, he delivers-always ( 19 4th qtr come back win in his career ! ). We don't play for ten days. The extra time is good for Troy.

I think thats an important point. If all goes well, he could be ready by the game against San Diego on the 4th. Thats really the only time the Steelers need him in the coming month anyway. Having him in the game against the Bears wouldnt hurt either, but i personally think the Bears, along with Cutler, are overrated. The Steelers have a decent shot (i'd say 50-1 chances) at a perfect season this year. Already past what looks like the hardest game on their schedule. The two games against the Ravens should be close as well...

It wasn't the best game to be honest. Had its share of sloppy moments. Oh well, overtime on opening day. What more could you ask for?

Perfect season? That is the last thing on my mind. A season is perfect only if you win the SB at the end ( No pun intended ). I agree, the Chargers game is the target, but I doubt it very much. We just have to resort to what all other teams do with their SS. Troy makes it different, as he is everywhere, and I anticipate us to play a more conventional game with Ty Carter replacing him.

It was a terrible game to watch. But, we are always involved in such games. Pretty normal affair if you ask me. Some great games to watch this Sunday. You guys playing Monday night?

Originally Posted by Beamer
Perfect season? That is the last thing on my mind. A season is perfect only if you win the SB at the end ( No pun intended ). I agree, the Chargers game is the target, but I doubt it very much. We just have to resort to what all other teams do with their SS. Troy makes it different, as he is everywhere, and I anticipate us to play a more conventional game with Ty Carter replacing him.

It was a terrible game to watch. But, we are always involved in such games. Pretty normal affair if you ask me. Some great games to watch this Sunday. You guys playing Monday night?

Yep. The game's going to be played in throwbacks from the 1960 season. Should be interesting to watch

Originally Posted by Fazal
NYG and Baltimore both survived 1st week without any damage. 1st few weeks are always tricky.

There were few +ve and few -ve.

Need few more weeks to guess how good these two will really be.

Maybe not in terms of "W"s and "L"s, but NYG got damaged quite a bit I'd say. Nicks and Ware, who were both injured in the game, are pretty important to their hopes of returning to the Playoffs. The good news is Nicks, who is undoubtedly the more important of the two, could return as early as next month. Theyre going to need all the help they can get to make it in that division...

Baltimore didnt look as good as I expected them to, but like you said, its still early...

For NYG couple of key players in secondary didn't played due to injury. So we haven't seen the full strength defence yet (like many other teams also).

Ware (dislocated elbow) is the 3rd RB and kind of insurance policy to NYG. So I am not sure how much they will miss him. Specially if the top two RB stays healthy for next few weeks they should be ok.

I heard Nick will be out for 2/3 weeks. Ususally WR is the hardest place for a rookie to make a dent quickly. So who knows it may work out fine for NYG. NYG shouldn't have much problem going to the playoff with or without Nick. An healthy and contributing Nick at the end of the regular season is more important than Nick, nicked up at the end of the regular season. This break may help both him as well as the team. But yes... WR is and unproven area for NYG. But then again NYG mainly win on defence and Running game. Plus they have a very good tide end....BOSS is the real deal.

The question with NYG is not if they will go to the play-off or not, but how far they will go.

If they miss play-off ...that will be a huge dissapointment. In a same way, if they go all the way... that will also be a huge surprise....even both are theoritically possible.